Protests greet 'toxic' ships

The US navy's "toxic" fleet began to arrive in Britain today amid fears that it could begin breaking up as the weather worsens.

The Caloosahatchee, one of four rusting ships being towed across the Atlantic, docked at Hartlepool where the fleet has been offered temporary shelter for the winter.

Protesters who had gathered by the Tees estuary to watch its arrival had armed themselves with flour bombs and pea-shooters as a symbol, one said, "of the powerlessness we feel".

A spokesman for Friends of the Earth stressed the seriousness of the matter. He said: "We fear these ships will not survive the bad weather of the coming months and there is a danger they will begin to break up and spill oil and chemicals into local waters."

The environmental group claims the 10,000-ton ship, built in 1945, is contaminated with asbestos and poisonous chemicals and is carrying tons of oily ballast which it is feared will leak into the Tees. A second ship, the Canisteo, is due to arrive tomorrow. Two others bound for Hartlepool from Virginia were warned today to leave Portuguese waters around the Azores.

Teesside firm Able UK had signed a £19 million deal with the US navy to strip and break up the ships but this was vetoed last week in the High Court.

Able UK was found not to have the right licences and planning permission to carry out the work.

But Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett was forced to allow the fleet to dock for the winter as it was feared a return journey would create further risks of the ships breaking up.

Friends of the Earth is calling for a public inquiry into why the ships were allowed to leave the US before permission was given and why the authorities there refused to call back the ships.

Director Tony Juniper said: " The Government needs to provide some clear answers."

But Able UK's managing director Peter Stephenson said: "The safe arrival of the Caloosahatchee vindicates this deal.

"Despite the lurid claims, these vessels are seaworthy and do not contain any cargo or large amounts of hazardous materials."